ODAA award given to Multnomah County Chief Deputy DA Chuck Sparks

Recently, Multnomah County Chief Deputy District Attorney Chuck Sparks received the Oregon District Attorney’s Association (ODAA) Professional Achievement Award.

Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill presented Sparks the award at the ODAA’s 2018 summer conference hosted in Bend, Oregon.

The Professional Achievement Award is given annually to an Oregon deputy district attorney who has made significant contributions to the ODAA, and who has had outstanding prosecutorial accomplishments in the fiscal year to demonstrate strong leadership and guidance.

“Chuck has performed great work on dependency legislation, and is currently involved in a foster care legislative workgroup,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill. “Chuck is a fierce advocate for children in Oregon. He has led the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) for a number of years as that unit’s Chief Deputy.”

CDDA Sparks also serves on the MDT Executive Board and the CARES NW Board.

In addition to his work for children and families, CDDA Sparks leads the Equity, Dignity and Opportunity Council (EDOC) for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.

“Chuck has strongly supported efforts by this office to foster a culture of equity, diversity and fairness both within the office and toward the community. His tireless work on dependency legislation and in leadership of the MDT, as well as his tenacious advocacy for crime victims, especially children, is an example to prosecutors across the state.”

The District Attorney’s MDT is responsible for reviewing and coordinating all child abuse and neglect cases in Multnomah County. The team includes representatives from law enforcement, public schools, hospitals, courts, health departments, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Oregon Department of Employment Child Care Division. The MDT unit handles child homicides, felony child physical abuse cases, felony child abandonment cases, custodial interference cases, felony sex crimes where the victim is currently under the age of 18 and where the defendant is considered a family member.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office provides an inclusive workplace environment that promotes equity, values integrity, and strives to establish a workplace where the rights, values and dignity of its employees and community members are upheld and respected to assist them in reaching their full potential. To accomplish this, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office empanels its Equity, Dignity and Opportunity Council (EDOC). This group of 12 MCDA staff includes administrative personnel, victim advocates, support staff and attorneys. The EDOC meets weekly to discuss a broad spectrum of equity issues, help guide the MCDA’s equity work, organize trainings on current equity issues, and weigh-in on equity matters for the district attorney’s consideration.